FBI addition brings Ellis slaying reward up to $218,000

Three months after the ambush slaying of Bardstown police Officer Jason Ellis, the FBI announced it is offering up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Ellis' death.

Ellis was killed early May 25 in what police called a carefully-planned ambush on Exit 34 along the Bluegrass Parkway.

On Monday, the FBI and Kentucky State Police announced the launch of a number of digital billboards along interstates across the nation.

The digital billboards are bright and electronically run.

"(They have) a poster-like application that will say 'Wanted.' It will have his picture and his name and information, and how much the reward will be and a phone number," said Agent Mary Trotman.

They're expected to be up throughout the country by the end of next week.

With no new leads, the FBI not only upped the ante with digital billboards, but also added $50,000 to the existing reward, bringing it to a total of $218,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

"We feel together, we think it ups our odds that someone will come forward with the tiniest bit of information to give us the lead we need to get an arrest and conviction on a case," said KSP spokesman Trooper Jeff Gregory.

Ellis had stopped to remove tree branches and debris from the road when he was shot to death.

Police said the debris was planted to stop Ellis.

Anyone with information in the case should contact the FBI at 502-263-600 or Kentucky State Police at 270-766-5078.

Timeline: Officer Jason Ellis ambushed, killed

Timeline: Officer Jason Ellis ambushed, killed

May 25, 2013: Just before 3 a.m. Bardstown Officer Jason Ellis stops at the Bluegrass Parkway Exit 34 to remove debris from the roadway

May 25, 2013: Police believe Ellis was removing debris from the road when he was shot and killed.

May 25, 2013: Police said Ellis never fired his service weapon and that it was still holstered.

May 25, 2013: Officers begin working around the clock to identify and arrest the shooter.

"I can assure you we won't give up on this person until we have him either in custody or on the front side of one of our weapons. And I hope the latter is the choice," said Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin.

May 26, 2013: Kentucky State Police announce Ellis' murder was premeditated and debris was planted in the road to lure him to his death.

"Someone planned this, someone planned this and someone planned to shoot somebody at that location at that time," said KSP Trooper Norman Chaffins. WATCH COMPLETE UPDATE

May 26, 2013: Police said the gunman was likely on a hill. It's not known if Ellis was targeted or the victim of a random shooting.

May 26, 2013: Residents rally around Jason Ellis' family and the police department. "It goes without saying that this department is devastated. The community is devastated," said Supporting Heroes Executive Director Eric Johnson.

May 26, 2013: Throughout Sunday, people stopped by the Bardstown Police Department to pay their respects.

May 26, 2013: They left mementos on Ellis' car, flowers and stuffed animals and baseballs with personal messages, since the sport had been a huge part of Ellis' life.

May 26, 2013: Visitation and funeral arrangements for Ellis are announced

May 27, 2013: Hundreds gather for a candlelight vigil in Ellis' honor on Memorial Day

May 28, 2013: Jason Ellis' wife, Amy Ellis, speaks publicly for the first time. She described her husband as a goofy family man who loved his wife, kids and police brothers, too. WATCH COMPLETE INTERVIEW

May 28, 2013: Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin said there have been lots of tips and a few leads, but nothing to get investigators excited yet. WATCH COMPLETE INTERVIEW

May 28, 2013: Gov. Steve Beshear orders flags at all state office buildings to be displayed at half-staff on May 30 as a mark of respect for Officer Ellis.

May 28, 2013: Supporting Heroes releases funeral procession route

May 28, 2013: Bardstown Mayor Bill Sheckles announces the reward for information leading to an arrest is now $32,000 after a $10,000 donation from the city.

May 28, 2013: Officials announce Ellis' K-9 partner will be retired and dedicated to his family.

May 29, 2013: Visitation held for Officer Ellis at Parkway Baptist Church

May 30, 2013: The reward for information leading to an arrest is now more than $100,000. A Louisville business owner named Gus Goldsmith donated $50,000 to the reward fund and $10,000 to the memorial fund. Nelson County Judge Dean Watts also donated $10,000.

May 30, 2013: The town of Bloomfield displays symbols of remembrance for Officer Ellis.

May 30, 2013: Mourners packed Parkway Baptist Church to pay their last respects to Officer Ellis.

June 2, 2013: Before Ellis wore the police badge in Bardstown, he proudly wore the number 5 on Glen Este's baseball field. Sunday night the number was painted on the diamond as more than 100 people gathered in a memorial.

June 4, 2013: Kentucky State Police reveal they want to talk to anyone in Nelson County, or the surrounding area, who had their trees trimmed or removed in the days leading up to the Ellis' shooting. Tree limbs found at the scene were not from the area where they were found.

June 27, 2013: Police returned to the scene where Officer Jason Ellis was killed. The Louisville Metro Police Department dive team searched a nearby pond after a K-9 unit indicated there might be something there.

July 7, 2013: Rep. Brett Guthrie presented copies of the Congressional Record dedicated to the Bardstown Police Department.

July 12, 2013: The reward for information leading to the arrest Ellis' killer increases from $125,000 to $135,000.

July 13, 2013: Jason Ellis Memorial Baseball Tournament was held at Dean Watts Park to help Ellis' widow and his two young sons.

July 17, 2013: The Kentucky Gun Company raised $62,400 for the Jason Ellis Memorial Fund with a raffle for a Henry Golden Boy Deluxe 22lf Rifle.

Aug. 26, 2013: The FBI ups the ante with digital billboards and adds $50,000 to the existing reward, bringing it to a total of $218,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Sept. 5, 2013: Amy Ellis writes a letter to thank the community for its support.

Nov. 8, 2013: Kentucky State Police release a YouTube video about the case in hopes of getting new tips.

Jan. 2, 2014: State Rep. David Floyd pre-files a bill to rename the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway the Officer Jason Ellis Memorial Highway in Nelson County from the United States Route 31E underpass (mile point 20.459) to the Kentucky Route 55 underpass (mile point 33.301).

Jan. 10, 2014: Pennsylvania State Police say there is no connection between a road-rage shooting, and the slaying of Jason Ellis after looking into any potential connection.

March 9, 2014: The Bardstown Police Department hangs mementos and photos of the funeral and burial for Ellis in a hallway of their office as a memorial.

May 13, 2014: Jason Ellis' name added to the National Fallen Heroes monument as part of National Police Week in Washington, D.C.

June 25, 2014: Gov. Steve Beshear signs a bill during a private ceremony with Ellis' family renaming a stretch of the Bluegrass Parkway in Bardstown in honor of Ellis.

August 16, 2014: The second annual Jason Ellis Benefit Poker Run is held in Bardstown

January 13, 2015: Kentucky State Police renew their plea to the public for information that will lead to Ellis' killer.

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